How to Make Wire Jewelry

Materials

Wire jewelry is about putting different components together in a beautiful way. You can make a simple but elegant necklace, bracelet, or anklet just by putting some beads on some wire and attaching them to some chain.

Wire Wire is sold in different sizes which are called gauges. For example, 20-gauge wire is thicker than 24-gauge, and suitable for most projects like earrings. 22-gauge is usually strong enough to hold when a lighter wire is desired.

Memory Wire Memory wire holds its circular shape. Cut a length of it, string on some beads, and bend the ends in a loop. It should stay on your neck or wrist without a clasp. Comes in sizes to fit your neck, wrist, or even finger.

Chain Chain comes in different thicknesses and styles. Chain can become part of the design, or just a means to display a nice bead or charm

Tools

Pliers are necessary for working with wire. Make sure you buy them from a beading store, as the ones sold in hardware stores are not fine enough for jewelry making.

Round Nose Pliers Pliers with round ends that are good for making loops. Along with chain nose pliers and wire cutters, these make up your basic wirework toolkit.

Chain Nose Pliers Pliers that are rounded on the outside but have flat inside edges. They are good for gripping wire or a jump ring, as opposed to round-nose pliers, which are better for making loops.

Wire Cutters Diagonal wire cutters should cut flush. You can use these to cut wire or to snip chain into shorter segments.

Jig A board with pegs in it that is useful for bending wire into specific shapes that can be replicated. They can be made out of wood, or configurable metal ones can be purchased. A jig isn’t necessary but it can be useful.

Component #1: Double Eye Pin

For this component, you can either start with an eye-pin, or just make a loop in a piece of wire. Add a bead, and make a loop on the other side with round-nose pliers. Then bend the loop slightly back, so it sits squarely on top of the straight part of the wire.

In this variation, the main bead is surrounded by spacer beads on both sides. Spacers are usually a neutral color or the color of the metal you use. They add a finished look to your design.

Wire-wrapping the double eye-pin makes it more secure. It also means you’ll need to use jump rings to attach it to other components, since the wire loop is closed.

Shop

About

Follow

About Affiliate Links: Links on this site to external sites may be affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase from that site, Beadage gets a small percentage of what you pay. You pay the same price. No endorsement is implied. Beadage is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Beadage is also a member of the Etsy Affiliate Program.